Patents by Inventor Keith W. Wendte
Keith W. Wendte has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20130325267Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20130319698Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20130277943Abstract: A hitch system for automatically hitching a tractor to a trailing implement is provided. The hitch system may allow an operator that is in a cab of the tractor to remotely connect and electrical system and/or a hydraulic system of a tractor an implement to each other and to remotely secure a hitch pin that connects a tongue of the implement to a drawbar of the tractor. The hitch system may include implement and tractor connector bank assemblies that are respectively provided on the implement and tractor. The tractor connector bank assembly may be moveable in multiple directions for allowing the tractor connector bank assembly to be remotely controlled from the cab of the tractor to align and move into engagement with the implement connector bank assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Tracey D. Meiners, Charles B. Merriken, Brian R. Krug, Garrett R. Rausch, Bruce R. Vahling
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Publication number: 20130248214Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 8522889Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20130180742Abstract: A soil monitoring system is provided that includes a sensing shank, and a first sensor coupled to a leading edge of the sensing shank. The first sensor is configured to output first signals indicative of a pressure exerted on the first sensor by soil as the sensing shank is driven through the soil along a direction of travel. The soil monitoring system also includes a frame forming a channel oriented in a substantially vertical direction relative to a surface of the soil, and a carrier coupled to the sensing shank and disposed within the channel. The soil monitoring system further includes an actuator extending between the frame and the carrier. The actuator is configured to linearly drive the carrier in a reciprocating motion to vary a penetration depth of the sensing shank within the soil.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams
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Patent number: 8448717Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 8359139Abstract: The orientation of a self-propelled vehicle or a towed vehicle relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle can be determined by mounting two ground speed sensors on the vehicle. The orientation of the vehicle relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle can be used to correct the error in the location of an implement mounted on the vehicle determined by a GPS system mounted on the vehicle or the vehicle towing the implement due to crabbing of the vehicle as the vehicle travels substantially perpendicular to a significant slope.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Guoping Wang, Bingcheng Ni, Peter J. Dix, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 8342256Abstract: A foldable implement frame is foldable about multiple axes to provide a compactly folded implement. The implement is foldable from a wide, field working position to a relatively narrow position for transport between fields, along roadways, and through field gates or storage doors. The frame is generally comprised of a center frame section that may be hitched to a prime mover, a pair of inner frame sections, and a pair of outer frame sections. The outer frame sections may be folded about their connections to the inner frame sections, and the inner frame sections are foldable about their connections to the central frame section. The central frame section may be rotated to rotate the inner and outer frame sections forward to an upright position, and the inner and outer frame sections may then be folded forward to fold the frame into a narrow position for transport and/or storage.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20120215409Abstract: A control system and method is provided for controlling the operational configuration of a spout of a harvester being used to perform unload on the go operations with an associated transport vehicle. The velocities of the harvester and transport vehicle and the lateral and longitudinal distances between the harvester and transport vehicle are used to predict future lateral and longitudinal distances between the harvester and transport vehicle. A control signal is issued to a harvester spout control system if either of the predicted lateral distance or longitudinal distance is outside of an associated acceptable range. The harvester spout control system then either shuts off the spout or changes the orientation of the spout in response to the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Guoping WANG, John H. Posselius, Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20120048160Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20120048159Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian T. Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20110315411Abstract: A foldable implement frame is foldable about multiple axes to provide a compactly folded implement. The implement is foldable from a wide, field working position to a relatively narrow position for transport between fields, along roadways, and through field gates or storage doors. The frame is generally comprised of a center frame section that may be hitched to a prime mover, a pair of inner frame sections, and a pair of outer frame sections. The outer frame sections may be folded about their connections to the inner frame sections, and the inner frame sections are foldable about their connections to the central frame section. The central frame section may be rotated to rotate the inner and outer frame sections forward to an upright position, and the inner and outer frame sections may then be folded forward to fold the frame into a narrow position for transport and/or storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Brian Adams, Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 7854066Abstract: A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: CNH America LLCInventor: Keith W Wendte
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Patent number: 7849806Abstract: A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: CNH America LLCInventor: Keith W Wendte
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Publication number: 20100101071Abstract: A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: CNH America LLCInventor: Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20100101468Abstract: A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: CNH America LLCInventor: Keith W. Wendte
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Publication number: 20100070178Abstract: The orientation of a self-propelled vehicle or a towed vehicle relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle can be determined by mounting two ground speed sensors on the vehicle. The orientation of the vehicle relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle can be used to correct the error in the location of an implement mounted on the vehicle determined by a GPS system mounted on the vehicle or the vehicle towing the implement due to crabbing of the vehicle as the vehicle travels substantially perpendicular to a significant slope.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Guoping WANG, Bingcheng NI, Peter J. DIX, Keith W. WENDTE
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Patent number: 7669539Abstract: A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: CNH America, LLC.Inventor: Keith W. Wendte
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Patent number: 7617785Abstract: A direct drive electric seed metering system is provided for use with a row crop planter or seed planter that intakes a volume of multiple seeds from a seed hopper, draws individual seeds from the volume of multiple seeds and discharges them into a seed furrow formed in an agricultural field. The direct drive electric seed metering system includes a meter assembly having a meter housing and a seed plate rotatably mounted concentrically in the housing for singulating the seeds. A direct drive mechanism is mounted to the meter assembly for interfacing and driving the seed plate at an angular velocity which corresponds to the travel velocity of the seed planter. A single seed planter can have multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems, and each of the multiple direct drive electric seed metering systems preferably has its own prime mover to effectuate driving the seed plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: CNH America LLCInventor: Keith W. Wendte